trailer Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme 1996 Owner's Manuals

New Vehicle aBreak-In”
NOTICE:
Your modern Oldsmobile doesn’t need an
elaborate “break-in.” But
it will perform better
in the long run
if you follow these guidelines:
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0
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Don’t drive at any one speed -- fast or
slow
-- for the first 500 miles (804 km).
Don’t make full-throttle starts.
Avoid making hard stops for the fist
200 miles (322 km) or so. During this time
your new brake linings aren’t yet broken
in. Hard stops with new linings can mean
premature wear and earlier replacement.
,
Follow this breaking-in guideline every
time you get new brake linings.
Don’t tow
a trailer during break-in. See
“Towing a nailer” in the Index for
more information.
Ignition Positions
C
I
A E
With the ignition key in the ignition switch, you can turn
the switch to five positions.
ACC (A): This position lets you use things like the
radio and windshield wipers when the engine is
off. To
use ACC (Accessory), push in the key and turn it toward
you. Your steering wheel will stay locked.
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Automatic Transaxle Operation
Your automatic transaxle
may have a shift lever on
the steering column
or
on the console between
the seats.
Maximum engine speed is limited on automatic
transaxle vehicles, when you’re in PARK
(P) or
NEUTRAL
(N), to protect driveline components from
improper operation.
There are several different positions for your shift lever.
PARK (P): This locks your front wheels. It’s the best
position to use when you start your engine because your
vehicle can’t move easily.
A CAUTION:
It is dangerous to get out of your vehicle if the
shift lever is not fully in PARK
(P) with the
parking brake firmly set. Your vehicle can
roll.
Don’t leave your vehicle when the engine is
running unless you have to. If you have left the
engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly.
You or others could be injured.
To be sure your
vehicle won’t move, even when you’re on fairly
level ground, always set your parking brake and
move the shift lever to PARK
(P).
See “Shifting Into PARK (P)” in the Index. If
you’re pulling
a trailer, see “Towing a Trailer’’ in
the Index.
Make sure the shift lever is fully into PARK (P) range
before starting the engine. Your Oldsmobile has a
brakeLtransaxle shift interlock.
You must fully apply
your regular brakes before you can shift from
PARK (P)
when the ignition is in the RUN position. If you cannot
shift out of PARK (P), ease pressure on the shift lever
by
pushing it all the way into PARK (P) while keeping the
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AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (0): This position is for
normal driving. It is the ovetdrive position. If you need
more power for passing, and you’re:
- Going less than 35 mph (56 km/h), push your
accelerator ppdal about halfway down.
- Going about 35 mph (56 km/h) or more, push the
accelerator pedal all the way down.
You’ll shift down to the next gear and have
more power.
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NOTICE:
If your vehicle seems to start up rather slowly,
or
if it seems not to shift gears as you go faster,
something may be wrong with
a transaxle system
sensor.
If you drive very far that way, your
vehicle can be damaged.
So, if this happens, have
your vehicle serviced right away. Until then, you
can use SECOND
(2) when you are driving less
than
35 mph (56 km/h) and AUTOMATIC
OVERDRIVE
(a) for higher speeds.
THIRD (3): This position is also used for normal
driving, but it offers more power and lower fuel
economy than AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE
(0).
Here are some times you might choose THIRD (3)
instead of AUTOMATIC OVERDRIVE (0)):
- When driving on hilly, winding roads.
- When towing a trailer, so there is less shifting
- When going down a steep hill.
SECOND (2): This position gives you more power but
lower fuel economy. You can use SECOND
(2) on hills.
It can help control your speed
as you go down steep
mountain roads, but then you would also want to use
your brakes off and on.
between gears.
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Parking Brake
- To set the parking brake,
hold the regular brake pedal down with your right foot.
Push down the parking
NOTICE:
~~~
Driving with the parking brake on can cause
your rear brakes to overheat. You may have to
replace them, and you could also damage other
parts
of your vehicle.
If you are towing a trailer and are parking on any hill,
see “Towing a Trailer” in the Index. That section shows
what to
do first to keep the trailer from moving.
To release the parking brake, hold the regular brake
pedal down with your right foot and push the parking
brake pedal with your left foot. When you lift your left
foot, the parking brake pedal will follow
it to the
released position.
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Shifting Into PARK (P)
~~ ~
A CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle if
the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with the
parking brake. firmly set. Your vehicle can roll.
If you have left the engine running, the vehicle
can move suddenly. You or others could be
injured.
To be sure your vehicle won’t move, even
when you’re on fairly level ground, use the steps
that follow. If you’re pulling a trailer, see
“Towing
a Trailer” in the Index.
Column Shift
1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot and
set the parking brake.
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2.. Move the shift lever into the PARK (P) position
like this:
0 Pull the lever toward you.
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Power Windows
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehkle if
the shift lever
is not fully in PARK (P) with the’
parking. brake firmly,set. Your vehicle can roll.
Don’t leave your vehicle wlqen the.engi.ne
is , ’
running unless you have to. If you’ve left the . ’
engine running, the vehicle can move suddenly. ”
You or‘others could be injured. .To be sure.your ,.
.vehicle won’t move, even when you’re on fairly
level’ground, always set your parking brake and
move the shift lever to
PARK (P).
Follow the proper steps to be sure your vehicle won’t ,
move. See “Shifting Into PARK (P)” in the Index,.
If you are parking on a hill and if you’re pulling a
trailer,
also see. “Towing a Trailer” in the Index. .
!
Switches on the driver’s door armrest control each of the
windows when the ignition
is on. In addition, each
passenger door has a’switch for its own window.
rhe driver’s window switch has an auto-down feature.
This switch is labeled AUTO. Tap the rear of the switch,
and the’driver’s window will open
a small amount. If the
rear
of the switch is pressed all the way down, the
window will
go all the way down.

0 Reduce vehicle speed.
0 Avoid hard accelerations.
Avoid steep uphill grades.
I 0 If towing a trailer, reduce the amount of cargo being
hauled as soon as it is possible.
If the lightstops flashing and remains,on steady, see “If
the Light
Is On Steady” following.
If
the light continues to flash, when it is safe to do so,
stop the vehicle. Put your vehicle in PARK (P). Turn the
key off, wait at least
10 seconds and restart the engine.
~ If the light remains on steady, see “If the Light Is On
Steady” following. If the light is still flashing, follow
the
1 previous steps, and drive the vehicle to your retailer or
qualified service center for service.
1
If the Light Is On Steady
You may be able to correct the emission system
malfunction by considering the.following:
Did you just put fuel into your vehicle?
If
so, reinstall the fuel cap, making sure to fully install
the cap. The diagnostic system can determine if the fuel
cap has been left
off or improperly installed. This will
allow fuel to .evap.orate into the atmosphere. A few
driving trips should turn the light
off.
Did you just drive through a deep puddle of water?
If
so, your electrical system may be wet. The condition
will usually be corrected when the electrical system
dries out. A few driving trips should turn the light
off.
Are you low on fuel?
As your engine starts to run out of fuel, your engine may
not
run as efficiently as designed since small amounts of
air are sucked into the fuel line causing a misfire.
The
system can detect this. Adding fuel should correct this
condition. Make sure to install the fuel cap properly. It
will take a few driving trips to turn the light off.

Towing a Trailer
If you don’t use the correct equipment and drive
properly, you can lose control when you pull
a
trailer. For example, if the trailer is too heavy, the
brakes may not work well
-- or even at all. You
and your passengers could be seriously injured.
Pull
a trailer only if you have followed all the
steps
in this section. Ask your Oldsmobile retailer
for advice and information about towing
a trailer
with your vehicle.
NOTICE:
Pulling a trailer improperly can damage your
vehicle and. result in-costly repairs not covered by
your warranty.
To pull a trailer correctly, follow
the advice in this part, and see your Oldsmobile
retailer for important information about towing
a trailer with your vehicle.
Your vehicle can tow a trailer. To identify what the
vehicle trailering capacity is for your vehicle, you
should read the information in “Weight of the Trailer”
that appears ‘later in this section. But trailering is
different than just driving your vehicle by itself.
Trailering means changes in handling, durability, and fuel economy. Successful, safe trailering takes correct
equipment, and it has to be used properly.
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That’s the reason for this part. In it are many
time-tested, important trailering tips and safety rules.
Many of these are important for your safety and that of
your passengers.
So please read this section carefully
before you pull a trailer.
Load-pulling components such as the engine, transaxle,
wheel assemblies and tires are forced to work harder
against the drag of the added weight. The engine is
required to operate at relatively higher speeds and under
greater loads, generating extra heat. What’s more, the
trailer adds considerably to wind resistance, increasing
the pulling requirements.
If You Do Decide To Pull A Trailer
If you do, here are some important points:
There are many different laws, including speed limit
restrictions, having to
do with trailering. Make sure
your rig will be legal, not only where you live but
also where you’ll be driving. A good source for this
information can be state or provincial police.
0 Consider using a sway control. You can ask a hitch
dealer about sway controls.
0 Don’t tow a trailer at all during the first 1,000 miles
(1 600 km) your new vehicle is driven. Your engine,
axle or other parts could be damaged.
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0
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Then, during the first 500 miles (800 km) that you
tow a trailer, don’t drive over
50 mph (80 kmk) and
don’t make starts at full throttle. This helps your
engine and other parts of your vehicle wear in at the
heavier loads.
Obey speed limit restrictions when towing a trailer.
Don’t drive faster than the maximum posted speed
for trailers
(or no more than 55 mph (90 W)) to
save wear on your vehicle’s parts.
Three important considerations have to do with weight:
the weight of the trailer,
the weight of the trailer tongue
and the total weight on your vehicle’s tires.
Weight of the Trailer
How heavy can a trailer safely be?
It should never weigh more than
1,000 lbs. (450 kg). But
even that can be too heavy;
It depends on how you plan to use your rig. For
example, speed, altitude, road grades, outside
temperature and how much your vehicle is used to pull a
trailer are all important. And, it can also depend
on any
special equipment that you have on your vehicle.
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e.

You can asK your retailer for our trailering information
or advice,, or you can write
us at:
Oldsmobile Network
‘P.O. Box 30095
Lansing, MI 48909
In Canada, write to:
General Motors of Canada Limited
Customer Assistance Center 1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario L1H 8P7
Weight of the Trailer Tongue
The tongue load (A) of any trailer is an important
weight to measure because it affects the total capacity
weight of your vehicle. The capacity weight includes the
curb weight of the vehicle, any cargo you may carry in
, it, and the people who will be riding in the vehicle. And
if you will tow a trailer, you must subtract the tongue load from your vehicle’s capacity weight because your
vehicle will be carrying that weight, too. See “Loading
Your Vehicle” in the Index for more informatign about
your vehicle’s maximum load capacity.
A B
If you’re using a weight-carrying hitch, the trailer
tongue (A) should weigh
10% of the total loaded trailer
weight
(B). If you have a weight-distributing hitch, the
trailer tongue (A) should weigh
12% of the total loaded
trailer weight
(B).
After you’ve loaded your trailer, weigh the trailer and
then the tongue, separately, to see if the weights are
proper.
If they aren’t, you may be able to get them right
simply by moving some items around in the trailer.